In the second part of our three part series on finding Work Life Blend, Karen Kodzik digs into the decisions and forces that shape how we align our careers with values. In addition to Karen’s insights, we asked one of the Twin Cities’ most impressive young people, Lizzy Shramko, about what it means to have a value-based career and how she envisions her values evolving overtime.
Article by Karen Kodzik
Lizzy Shramko interview and illustrations by Meghan Murphy and Jamie Millard
ALIGNING CAREER CHOICES WITH VALUES
Social norms seem to perpetuate the notion that you have to compromise what you believe in order to achieve your career dreams. Whether you are considering a new job, a new company or a returning to school, start by looking inside of yourself before drafting that plus and minus list. Essential information to consider first and foremost is what’s important to you at this stage in your life and career.
Karen Kodzik: In recent interviews to “Top Achievers” in the Twin Cities, I asked them how they navigated various career crossroads when options presented themselves and they had to decide on the direction of their career path. Interestingly, the majority of them said that during those times, they took a step back and used their values as a decision making guide. Their values were their compass at each career crossroads.
One person spoke about how his career ambitions shifted when he had a family. Instead of continuing on the fast track, he consciously throttled back to reallocate time and energy towards family. He recognized that the career ambitions he aspired to had less importance compared to his commitment to his family.
Karen Kodzik: Another person spoke of opting out of a job opportunity at the next level in order to take a lateral move which brought him back to the Twin Cities. He recognized that his “pack and go” job did not provide him with a sense of community or belonging which he had grown to value. So he took a role which allowed him to hang up his passport and lay down some roots and become an active member of his community on a regular basis.
What struck me was twofold. One was that they intentionally stepped aside from the gravitational pull that sucks us into quick decisions and took the time to revisit what was important to them in their lives overall, not just their careers. The reality is that not all career plans are linear and some of the best career plans don’t follow a map but follow an internal compass which acts as a general guide so that when opportunities present themselves, you know you are heading in the right direction.
Our values change over time as we grow up as people and professionals. What we value early in our careers often evolves from valuing achievement to finding fulfillment through purpose and contribution. This evolution occurs gradually with each decade of our lives. What became apparent in the interviews with the “Top Achievers” is that they stepped back and recognized how their values were changing and then made course corrections and career decisions to align with those changes.
CONTINUE READING ABOUT LIZZY’S CAREER IN THE YPN5Q FEATURE.
About Karen Kodzik:
Coupling seasoned counseling skills with solid business acumen, Karen has coached and consulted various levels of professionals across industries throughout the country for nearly two decades. As President and Owner of Cultivating Careers, a career management firm, she has helped thousands of professionals at various career crossroads develop the plans and tools to move forward and realize rewarding careers. Karen can be reached at karen@cultivatingcareers.com.